Homeless seek public's support to stop Oakland Park panhandling ban

July 21, 2012|By Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel

OAKLAND PARK — The homeless are hoping to galvanize support for their plight.

The homeless have passed out thousands of fliers reading "Stop the Hate" at main city plazas and intersections asking the public to reach out to elected officials to stop an Oakland Park proposal that would ban aggressive panhandling and collecting money in the public right of way.

The move is led by the Rev. Bob Caudill of All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park, which is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. He has found his volunteers in the soup kitchen he operates.

"I think this is targeted at the homeless in Oakland Park," he said. "I think it's wrong. I think it goes against our Constitution. It targets people who have no power, who don't vote, who have no money, no lawyers, no friends, no one. And they're easy targets because what are they going to do?"

"Call the city now and lodge your opinion," his fliers read in part. "Help us stop the hate and sew [sic] compassion and kindness."

Supporters of the proposed ordinance said the move has nothing to do with the homeless but that it's to keep people out of traffic and precludes high school teenagers from soliciting donations in medians as well.

Commissioners agreed last month to consider the ban and it is currently being drafted. It is expected to come before the commission again later this year. Opponents of the ban have threatened lawsuits and even protests in front of commissioners homes.

But advocates say it's the right thing to do.

"How can anyone justify encouraging people — whether homeless, high school students, or church groups — to stand in the active roadway and risk their lives?" Mayor Anne Sallee said. "That's like telling people, 'We love you, go play in traffic.' Our roadways are dangerous. ... A 150-pound human doesn't have a very good chance against an 1,800-pound vehicle. There are much safer places to solicit donations."